Now that we’re out of that time warp, I offer you this Tyler Kepner article on former Yankee Andy Phillips. Phillips, 34, is currently coaching at the University of Alabama, and he grew up in the recently tornado-devastated Tuscaloosa. “There’s almost a mile-wide path the tornado went through,” said Phillips. “They said you could literally stand a mile and a half away from [the stadium], where there used to be homes and buildings in between, and now there’s nothing.” Phillips and his family are safe, but some of his players lost everything. David Robertson, another Tuscaloosa native, said his family and house are safe as well.

Heh, so that’s a headline I never thought I’d have to type. Apparently some guy posing as former Yank and all-around good guy Andy Phillips managed to lure the adult film actress known as Delia to a motel in NYC just before New Years, where they presumably performed unspeakable acts. But wait, it gets better. The Andy Phillips imposter also posed as Carl Pavano, Greg Dobbs, and agent Jordan Kapler, and it wasn’t until after their motel romp that Mrs. Delia thought something weird was going on. She filed a police report against the real Andy Phillips, and now MLB’s Department of Investigations is trying to sort this whole thing out after Phillips’ agent brought it to their attention. I’m giving Andy the benefit of doubt because all we’ve ever heard about the guy is that he’s a class act and a tremendous human being, but this is just weird. And hilarious.

Brown and Green have spent time with the organization before. Strickland is a career journeyman, last pitching in the bigs with Houston back in 2005. The Padres released him in Spring Training last year just before his $550k salary was to be guaranteed. Traber was a first round pick way back in 2000, but has bounced from club to club and got pounded with the Nats last year (39.2 IP, 50 H, 21 ER, 13 BB, 27 K). I figure he’ll at least get a look-see in Spring Training to see if he can be an effective lefty specialist.

Heath Phillips is actually a halfway decent arm, and part of me was hoping the Yanks would take a flier on him after the ChiSox choose not to tender him a contract in December. He’s a barrel chested soon-to-be 26 year old workhorse with a high-80’s sinker and a rainbow curve. He can get into trouble by leaving pitches up in the zone, but he limits the damage because he keeps his walks down. This, ladies and gentlemen, is your LOOGY sleeper.

The New York Yankees announced today they have signed catcher Jose Molina to a two-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees designated infielder Andy Phillips for assignment.

Well, we all knew the Yanks would have to start clearing room on the 40-man roster soon enough. We all know about everything Andy’s gone through and how great of a person he is, but he was given plenty of chances and never really did enough to warrant a job. He’ll land on his feet.

The Yanks still have to clear room for A-Rod, Pettitte and Mo, so this won’t be the last of the 40-man cuts.

The Star Ledger is reporting, through an anonymous source, that Andy Phillips was placed on outright waivers yesterday. As many of us have been saying over the past week or so (or even longer), this was a no-brainer move. Yeah, you have to feel bad for Andy and the conditions surrounding him. But he’s simply not good enough to cut it.

Phelps, on the other hand, even at 28 years old has plenty of upside. He may pan out during the season, and he may not. Regardless of the eventual outcome, though, this was the correct move.

I’m not sure what other teams would have a need for Phillips, and I don’t (from my pedestrian view) see much of a reason that he won’t clear waivers and head with Phil Hughes and Tyler Clippard to Scranton.

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The Gleyber Torres Watch

Gleyber's season is over. He suffered a torn left (non-throwing) elbow ligament on a play at the plate on June 17th and had Tommy John surgery on June 21st. He is expected to be ready in time for Spring Training 2018. The Prospect Watch Curse strikes again!